Beijing Won't Abuse Fugitive Law: Tam Yiu-chung

Hong Kong's delegate to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Tam Yiu-chung, said on Friday that he doesn't think Beijing will abuse an amended fugitive law, in the way that would make things difficult for Hong Kong's Chief Executive.

Tam also proposed that the amendments should empower only designated mainland bureaus, such as the country's top prosecutors from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, to file extradition requests.

He said this way the rendition mechanism wouldn't be subject to abuse.

The lawmaker said whenever a topic involving the mainland pops up, some people would come up with a lot of speculation, or spread very "inaccurate and scary" messages.

Tam is among some 200 local delegates to the NPC and mainland's top advisory body attending a meeting with the Central Liaison Office on Friday afternoon.

The meeting comes days after the head of the Liaison Office, Wang Zhimin, expressed support for the passage of the bill.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Tam said it's not clear if the fugitives law will be on the agenda, only saying he believes the topics for discussion will be "important" for Hong Kong delegates to the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Tam, who has been a lawmaker for more than 30 years, expressed regret over the recent chaos in Legco, which saw the pro-democracy and pro-establishment camp square off over who chaired a bills committee meeting looking into the government's controversial bill.

He said the debacle is something he's never seen before, as he described the chaos as "dangerous" and "ridiculous". Tam said Legco is not a place for scuffles or violence.

On whether the bill should bypass the bills committee to go straight to the full council, Tam said it's something for the House committee and government officials to consider.

Tam acknowledged it would be a rare move, but he said it's one that would be in line with Legco's rules of procedure.